Three Dobyns-Bennett High School students have been named as semifinalists for the 59th Annual 2014 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Those named as National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists are Spencer Miller, son of David and Kellie Miller, Andrew Nottingham, son of John and Patricia Nottingham and Sarah Van Dierdonck, daughter of Olivier Van Dierdonck and Tamara Rivera. These three students will compete with the top high school students in the nation for some 8,000 National Merit Scholarships worth about $35 million that will be offered next spring.

Approximately 16,000 students were notified that they have qualified as semifinalists. To ensure that academically able young people from all parts of the United State are included in this talent pool, semifinalists are designated on a state representational basis. They are the highest scoring entrants in each state. The National Merit Scholarship Corporation provides scholarship application materials to semifinalists through their high schools. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship Award, semifinalists must advance to the finalists level of the competition by fulfilling several requirements. About 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to attain finalist standing, and more than half of the finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar title.

The national pool of semi-finalists represents less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors.

For more information on the National Merit Scholarship Program, please contact the Dobyns Bennett High School Counseling Office at (423) 378-8409 or visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Kingsport City Schools is a public school system located in Kingsport, Tenn., serving students in Sullivan and Hawkins county. The district is comprised of 13 schools, including a Pre-K, eight elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school and an alternative school; with total enrollment reaching 7,000 students. The vision of Kingsport City Schools is to be, Student Focused … World Class.

For more information on Kingsport City Schools (KCS), visit k12k.com, listen live on, WCSK 90.3 FM, The Voice of KCS, watch KCS Today on Charter Channel 16 at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. or call (423) 378.2100. We’re social too; follow us on Facebook, Kingsport City Schools and on Twitter, @KptSchools.